Something to Reflect On

Hi Everyone,
For this day of Disability in the World, I published an interesting guest post on my blog. http://www.donnathomson.com/2015/12/...l-parents.html. It's the ethical challenge of to treat or not to treat.
Love to you all, my steadfast and remarkable friends. xo Donna

When I was describing Michael's final illness and our decision to remove the ventilator from him to Jon's Orthopedic Surgeon, who put the rod and pins in Jon's right leg in 2005, the doctor put his hand on mine, and he softly said, "Just because we can, doesn't mean we should."

When I was younger, I wanted to know the answer to "Why?" But after genetic testing failed to give us any answers in the late 1980s, I gave up wanting to know. It wouldn't change anything to have a label to attach to their condition. And doctors had been predicting their demise since they were 2 years old, without a diagnosis, and they were wrong.

With all of the therapies, the medical treatments, surgeries, specialists' consultations, hospitalizations, and educational goals we experience with our children, the most important part of their development, of their lives, is the love we give to them. The cuddling, the reading to them, listening to music with them, watching a movie with them, playing games with them, sharing the world with them. And I guarantee ~ those are the moments we remember.

God Bless All Of Our Children and Every Person With a Disabling Condition, who fight courageously every day to live life to the fullest.

Love & Light,

Rose

Mom to Jon, 48, (seizure disorder; Gtube; trache; colostomy; osteoporosis; hypothyroid; enlarged prostate; lymphedema, assorted mysteries) and Michael, 32, (intractable seizures; Gtube), who were born with an undiagnosed progressive neuromuscular disease and courageous spirits. Our Angel Michael received his wings in 2003 and now resides in Heaven. Our Angel Jon lives at home with me and Jim, the world's most wonderful dad.

The following user says "thanks"

Hi Donna,
Your lovely blog post inspired me to write this post on my brain damage/general disability tumblr blog(has no relation to my film blog) here! http://joysofbraindamage.tumblr.com/...disability-day Love is always more valuable and important than the disability itself. You guys have all helped to teach me that over the years when my fears or frustrations may have otherwise gotten the better of me. Thank you all my friends!!!!

Wow! Amazing blog post! There are so many layers here, I hardly know where to start. The concept of otherness and social comfort is so complex. It's fascinating all that you went through with your professor in such a short time and the effect it had on you. I'm going to reflect on this. Thank you so much for sharing!

Both of your posts, ((((((funnylegs4)))))) and ((((((Erin)))))) are excellent and certainly illustrate what this day is all about from your very personal perspectives. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Love & Light,

Rose

Mom to Jon, 48, (seizure disorder; Gtube; trache; colostomy; osteoporosis; hypothyroid; enlarged prostate; lymphedema, assorted mysteries) and Michael, 32, (intractable seizures; Gtube), who were born with an undiagnosed progressive neuromuscular disease and courageous spirits. Our Angel Michael received his wings in 2003 and now resides in Heaven. Our Angel Jon lives at home with me and Jim, the world's most wonderful dad.

Wow! Amazing blog post! There are so many layers here, I hardly know where to start. The concept of otherness and social comfort is so complex. It's fascinating all that you went through with your professor in such a short time and the effect it had on you. I'm going to reflect on this. Thank you so much for sharing!

Thank you so much Donna! I'm amazed by this experience too. I hardly knew this man. We had only worked together a few months and then all of a sudden he changes my entire perception of brain injury. I didn't even know I had so many conflicting thoughts and fears in me. I will be forever grateful to him! He thinks I helped him but he helped me so much more!

((((((HUGS TO ALL)))))) ~

Both of your posts, ((((((funnylegs4)))))) and ((((((Erin)))))) are excellent and certainly illustrate what this day is all about from your very personal perspectives. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Love & Light,

Rose

Thanks Rose! Always happy to share!

Interesting ethical challenges indeed! Thanks for sharing Donna, and hugs to that mama.

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